Mothers – Producers of Heroes

‘This is from amongst the works of a contemporary Shaykh….. Brothers you need to get married to women like this and sisters you need to be mothers like this….’

‘…Mothers play a great role in building a generation. The better a mother is at raising her children, the more successfully the Ummah is built and the more successful it is at producing heroes. You hardly ever see a great man except that a great woman is behind him who left some of her traits in his personality by way of the milk from which he was fed and the warm embrace in which he sought refuge.

Most men find it hard to remove these shining images from their minds that they retain of their mothers. These outstanding images that ran through his veins from a young age remain engraved in his mind, and he cannot help but to remember them with veneration and pride. He recalls the simple, clear words that his mother left his spirit with, and these words grow to become milestones on his path and guiding lights on his quest.
He cannot help but to place himself under the vast shade that his mother provided for him throughout the long course of his life, nurtured by the pleasant emotions and mixed with the eternal days of his life. These realities grow in his spirit and become an inseparable part of his personality that he cannot let go of without letting go of his humanity.

This is why preserving this affection and repaying this kindness with kindness is an obligation in Islam that is directly partnered with Tawhīd:

‘…and your Lord ordained that you worship only Him, and that you treat your parents with excellence…’
[al-Isrā'ah, v.32]

And disobedience to them is directly partnered with kufr.

Respect for mothers occupies a very high position on the ladder of Islām, and is very heavy in its scales. It is reported in the ‘Sāhīh’ that a man came to the Messenger of Allah [saw] and said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, who is most deserving of my kind treatment?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked again,
‘Then who?’ He replied, ‘Your father.’

I once said to Ibrahim al-Akhdar – the Imām of the Haram in Makkah – ‘Why do you prevent your sweet voice from being heard by the Muslims who come from everywhere to hear it? How can you request to return to Madīnah when some people say that hearing you recite the Qur’ān is like hearing it descending fresh from the heavens?’

So, he replied, ‘My treasures in this world are my grandmother and mother, and I must fulfil my responsibilities to them and treat them well. Nobody can do this but me.’

I said, ‘Why don’t you bring your grandmother here?’

He said, ‘She refuses to leave Madīnah out of fear that she might die outside of it, and her greatest wish is to be buried in the graveyard of al-Baqi’.’

And indeed, Ibrahim actually left the Haram in Makkah and went back to leading a small mosque in Madīnah, sticking to the Paradise that is at the foot of his mother and grandmother…”

Best poster ever by Chaserg Mash’Allah: Simple yet effective!

What are your priorities in life?

I am the biggest idiot on the planet Astagfirullah….Ya ikhwati is our aims just so low and shallow that we forget what are the priorities in life?

We whine over job loss, exam failure, heartbreaks but forget that the ultimate despair is the one who receives his book of deeds on the day of judgement on his left hand…..Allah Musta’an Astagfirullah Adheem

Secrets of despair…

Kinda contemplating now after that diamonds course Subhan’Allah, The Shaykh of Love, Imam Ibn Hazm has interesting poems on love & tragedy….

All they that know me, know in truth
I am a poor and lovelorn youth,
Cast down and weary, full of care
For whom? Ah, none can this declare.

When they behold me face to face,
They feel quite certain of my case,
Which when they would more clearly state
They can no more than speculate.

My love is like a written screed;
The characters seem plain, indeed,
But when the reader seeks to know
What they portend, that does not show.

Or like the cooing of a dove
Within the thicket is my love
He modulates with perfect art
The sweet outpourings of his heart.

We listen spellbound and intent
To his delightful argument;
But though the melody is clear,
Its meaning quite escapes the ear.

“For Allah’s sake”, they plead with me,
” Name thou her name to us, that we
May we apprised what passion deep,
For whom, has robbed thee of thy sleep.”

No, no; before I tamely yield
The secret they would have revealed
I’d sooner see my reason go,
And plunge into the depths of woe.

So they are buffeted about
By wild conjecture, wilder doubt,
Not knowing whether what they know,
Or what they think they think is so.

The tears of passion flow
And flow again;
The veil, of love, I know,
Is rent in twain.

My heart, as she floats past (possibly forever),
Is fluttering yet
Like a poor partridge, fast
Trapped in the net.

O my companions true,
Come, counsel me
So all good comrades do
Advice is free.

How long, how long must I
This secret hide
Which I cannot deny,
Nor lay aside?

In the pursuit of knowledge-Life & times of Imam Muslim (204-261AH)

In the pursuit of knowledge

Life & times of Imam Muslim (204-261H)

”Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience”- Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah

It is a well known fact that there are two fundamental sources of Islamic teachings: The first being the uncreated words of Allah Subhanata’ala (SWT), The Holy Qur’an and the second being the sayings, deeds, traditions and narrations of the final Prophet of Allah SWT, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (Peace be upon him).

In the hadith we find explanations and fine details which elaborate on what Allah SWT has mentioned in the Qur’an. When asked asked about the conduct of her husband (Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]), The mother of the believers Aish’ah bint Abu Bakar answered ”His conduct is the Qur’an”.

It is in the ahadith that we find the technical aspects that are not mentioned in the Qur’an such as the fiqh of Salah, the rulings on Ramadhan and the rituals of Hajj & Umrah among many other aspects of this perfect way of life, Islam.

It was therefore incumbent upon our predecessors in having a very precise and definitive way of analyzing the traditions & chains of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Alhamdulliah the science of ahadith is so precise, exact and infallible that zealous orientalists have given up in pursuit of finding its flaws.

In the history of Islam there have been a few prominent names of ahadith compilers such as Imam Bukhari (Sahih Al-Bukhari), Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Al-Musnad), Imam Malik (Al-Muwatta), Abu Dawoud (Sunan) & the hero that we will discuss about Imam Muslim (May Allah SWT have mercy upon him).

His full name was Abu’l-Husayn Muslim bin Hajjaj al-Qushayri al-Naisaburi. His kunya (nickname) was Abu Al-Husayn and hislaqab was Al-Qushairi. He was born in Naisabur (Nishapur) which is a town in Iran in the year 204AH/819CE.

We don’t know much about the biography of his parents but we can assume that they were devout individuals who must have brought up Imam Muslim in a pious enviorment. As the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) goes,

“The example of a good and bad companion is that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The perfume seller either gives you the perfume or tries to sell it to you, or you will get a good smell from him; but in the blacksmith’s workshop you will either burn your clothes, or they’ll be blackened by soot.” (Sahih Muslim)

This meaning of this hadith illustrates that the enviorment around us will ultimately have an effect on upbringing and conduct. Ibn ‘Asakir’s voluminous Tarikh Madinat Al-Dimashq mentions that Imam Muslim’s father was himself a scholar. A virtuous role model and a healthy Islamic enviorment as such must have left a lasting impression in Imam Muslim’s early life & inspired him to pursue the quest of seeking beneficial knowledge.

We know that Imam Muslim was a wealthy businessman and traded at Khan Mahmash, in Naisabur, and his provisions were from his lands in Ustuwa.

He had a tremendous love for the ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). He would instill within his listeners the respect & etiquette’s for the sacred science of ahadith; He preferred not to get involved in argumentation, as the saying of the great salaf-as-salih (pious predecessors) was ‘If Allah desires the good of his servant, he opens the door of actions and closes the door of argumentation and if He SWT doesn’t want good for someone then he closes the door of actions and opens the of arguementation’. Imam Muslim used to speak very little & he never backbited about any Muslim. It is noted that scholars of his calibre could count every word they said per fortnight, But Subhan’Allah times are indeed different because we cant even remember never mind count what was said in the last half an hour of non-stop ranting.

He dedicated himself in collecting and verifying hadith and he wasn’t distracted by the worldly pursuits in his time. He was very careful and precise in who he would keep company with and learn his hadith, He wouldn’t narrate from one of his early teachers even though that particular teacher was trustworthy but he had some incorrect belief in his aqeedah.

It was common practise of the Muhadditheen to travel far and wide to…

1. Acquire ahadith

2. Verify ahadith

3. To seek higher isnad (chain of narrations)

4. To investigate the narrators

5. To review ahadith with the scholars

Because of his love and passion for this, Imam Muslim travelled to Damascus, Khorasan, Ar-Rayy, Iraq, Hijaz (Makkah, Medinah etc) & Egypt. He attended the study circles of some of the most prominent scholars of his time such as the likes of Imam As-Sunnah Ahmad bin Hanbal, Qutaiba bin Sa’id, Abdullah bin Maslama, Ubaidullah al-Qawariri, Ishaq bin Rahuyah among others. On of his students Imam Adh-Dhahabi listed 220 scholars that Imam Muslim reported from his Sahih.

After his extensive travels, he settled in his hometown of Naisabur. It is there that he came in contact with Imam Bukhari. Imam Muslim described the reception of Imam Bukhari’s arrival in Naisabur greater than any given to any scholar or ruler. He stayed with Imam Bukhari until contention erupted between Imam Bukhari & his other teacher the great scholar Muhammad Yahya Ad-Dhuli over an issue of Aqeedah which Imam Bukhari was in the correct. Imam Muslim was loyal to Bukhari in his ordeal but towards the end of his life he distanced himself from the controversy and preferred a life of isolation.

Imam Muslim authored many books, most of which were on the science of hadith including Kita’b Al Musnad Al Kabir ‘Ala Al-Rijal, Jami’ Kabir, Kitab, Al-Asmma Wa’l-Kuna Kitab Al-Ilal, Kitab Al Afrad, Kitab Awlaadus-Sahaba. His most famous work however is the Al-Jami As-Sahih whis is known by its famous name Sahih Muslim. In this compilation Imam Muslim compiled 300,000 ahadith, verified them and retained 4,000 in the finalised As-Sahih. Imam An-Nawawi would later write his famous explanation of Sahih Muslim.

Known across the Muslim world for his strength in ahadith verification and exceptional knowledge of Islamic sciences, Imam Muslim attracted many students such as Abu Hatim Razi, Musa bin Harun, Ahmad bin Salama, Imam Abu Isa Tirmidhi, Abu Bakar ibn Khuzaima & Imam Adh-Dhahabi.

Imam Muslim is praised by many scholars during and after his times. Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr Al-Asqalani said about him as being a ‘Trustworthy, preserver, scholar of jurisprudence’.

Ahmad bin Salamah said ‘I saw Imam Abu Zur’ah & Imam Abu Haatim, they would give Imam Muslim precedence over the scholars of their time to know the autheticity of Ahadith’.

Imam Ishaaq Kausaj said to Imam Muslim ‘Up until Allah keeps you alive for the Muslims we will not be deprived of good’.

A great contemporary scholar of our time Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki (May Allah SWT protect him) describes Imam Muslim as ‘..one of the greatest scholars of Islam..’. Imam Anwar highlights the differences in layout between Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim. Imam Bukhari has classified titles of chapters with ahadith split into various chapters, Imam Muslim places the titles in margins and the ahadith as the main body of text. Imam Anwar has said that there is a difference of opinion among the scholars of Islam of which Sahih (Imam Bukhari’s or Imam Muslim’s) is more authentic, the majority classify Sahih Bukhari before Sahih Muslim which shows that there are some scholars of Islam who consider Sahih Muslim as the most authentic book after The Book of Allah SWT, The Holy Qur’an.

The way in which Imam Muslim died also exemplifies his thirst for knowledge, He was once in a gathering where a hadith was mentioned that he didn’t know about, He went home, turned off his room light and told his family to let him be because he was doing research in finding the hadith, They told him that they had a basket of dates for him. He took the dates and started eating them one at a time until he had emptied the basket, when this happened he found the hadith but then returned to His Al-Mighty Lord, Allah SWT. He died at the age of 57 in the path of knowledge in the year 261H/875CE and was buried in the suburbs of Nishapur, Iran .

Throughout history millions and millions of Muslims (Scholars, Imams, students of knowledge, military leaders, du’aat and normal individuals) have qouted Imam Muslim’s sahih whenever they give reminders, lectures, presentations, speeches, courses, khutbahs etc. Their referencing of his Sahih (among his other works) will be included among his scales of good deeds on the day of judgement Insh’Allah.

May Allah SWT have mercy on Imam Muslim and grant him the highest level of paradise (Al-Firdous). May Allah SWT bless us with in being the ideal role models so that the future generations can be the likes of our righteous ancestors.

Your brother in need of du’aa

LAUNCH OF GREENING INDONESIA – PLANT A TREE AND THE REWARD IS CHARITY

Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) presents: LAUNCH OF GREENING INDONESIA - PLANT A TREE AND THE REWARD IS CHARITY CHARITY DINNER with 3 course buffet Indonesian meal with Fachruddin Mangunjaya (Conservation International) H.E. Yuri Octavian Thamrin UK Indonesian Ambassador Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Cambridge) Date: Friday 6th November 2009 Time: 6.15pm – 9pm Venue: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Muslims will always earn the reward of charity for planting a tree…”(Bukhari) Indonesia is one of the most bio diverse regions in the world. It is facing a massive threat from logging operations which could destroy the habitat of endangered Sumatran tigers, orang-utans, elephants and a myriad other species mostly unknown to the outside world. Between 1985 and 2007, the island of Sumatra alone lost 12 million hectares of natural forest; a 48 percent loss over 22 years. The point is, as a carbon sink Indonesia’s forest reserves are a valuable asset to the entire planet and it is in all our interests to protect it. It will clearly be seen internationally as a contribution by a Muslim country to reverse the processes of climate change. IFEES is part of the Green Indonesia movement in Indonesia and the proceeds and pledges of this dinner will go towards a tree planting programme at the base of which will be the huge network of madrasas (over 10,00) spread throughout the length and breath of the country. Working with them known as pesantrens Ulema, (Scholars) and local Government and the support of UK schools, we hope to plant as many trees as possible in denuded forest areas and nurtured them for years.

All welcome but limited spaces only

To BOOK a place at the event click here

For more information please contact:
Tel: 0779 160 2107 / 07931 783915
E-mail: events@ifees.org.uk
Donate: www.justgiving.com/GreenIndonesia

Du’aa for the depressed & sorrowed….

For a sincere & unique brother in Islam who knows my distress and whose situation I understand…..May Allah SWT guide, protect and help us both ahki

Allaahumma rahmataka ‘arjoo falaa takilnee ‘ilaa nafsee tarfata ‘aynin, wa ‘aslih lee sha’nee kullahu, laa’ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta.

O Allah , I hope for Your mercy . Do not leave me to myself even for the blinking of an eye (i.e. a moment) . Correct all of my affairs for me . There is none worthy of worship but You.

Reference: Abu Dawud 4/324, Ahmad 5/42. Al-Albani graded it as good in Sahih Abu Dawud 3/959.

“A Man of Evident Splendor” – Description of The Prophet (Peace be upon him)

Bismillah (From this link here)

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam combined both outward and inward perfection. Allah ta’ala fashioned His Prophets to be morally and phsyically sound or kamaal. We are all familiar with the beautiful character of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, yet how many of us are aware of his physical beauty? We find in the seerah many beautiful descriptions from the Companions that describe the physical perfection of the Messenger of Allah alayhi salaatu wa salaam, inshaAllah a few instances will be shared here.

Moon vs Sun

Al Baraa ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu was asked, “Was the messenger of Allah’s face sword-like?” and he responded, “No, it was moon-like.” [Miskaat Al Masaabih 2/518]

We recognize the beauty in the sun, so why did the companion describe him as a moon, and not as the sun? The scholars say that although the sun is beautiful in nature, you cannot look at the sun directly because it is too bright and painful for your eyes. However with the beauty of the moon, you can stare at it the whole night without any pain. Such is the beauty of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam–there is no harm in staring at him. Another companion, Jabir bin Samurah radi Allahu anhu said, “I saw him at one full-moon night. I looked at him. He was dressed in a red garment. I compared him with the moon and found that — for me — he was better than the moon.” [Mishkat Al-Masabeeh 2/518]

Another point from this description is that Al-Baraa was asked if his face was ’sword-like’–a sword is thin while the moon is round, so from this we also learn that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not have a thin and lean face, rather he had a round face.

When things go downhill and hearts become heavy…

When you feel all alone in this world
And there’s nobody to count your tears
Just remember, no matter where you are
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you carrying a monster load
And you wonder how far you can go
With every step on that road that you take
Allah knows
Allah knows

CHORUS
No matter what, inside or out
There’s one thing of which there’s no doubt
Allah knows
Allah knows
And whatever lies in the heavens and the earth
Every star in this whole universe
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you find that special someone
Feel your whole life has barely begun
You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you gaze with love in your eyes
Catch a glimpse of paradise
And you see your child take the first breath of life
Allah knows
Allah knows

CHORUS

When you lose someone close to your heart
See your whole world fall apart
And you try to go on but it seems so hard
Allah knows
Allah knows

You see we all have a path to choose
Through the valleys and hills we go
With the ups and the downs, never fret never frown
Allah knows
Allah knows

CHORUS (x2)

BRIDGE:
Every grain of sand,
In every desert land, He knows.
Every shade of palm,
Every closed hand, He knows.
Every sparkling tear,
On every eyelash, He knows.
Every thought I have,
And every word I share, He knows.
Allah knows

RCSI ISOC Diamonds are Forever: The Mothers of the Believers

RCSI ISOC presents Diamonds are forever: The Mothers of the Believers

Youtube Trailer (click here)

A one day course for Brothers & Sisters that will exploring the lives of some of the greatest women of all time. It seeks to enlighten the hearts, minds and souls of students, youth, parents & elders in the West. It is through the wonderful examples of the Mothers of the Believers that we can achieve a correct and balanced understanding when approaching issues such as building the Islamic family, social life, working, parenting and raising children.

Topics:

• Maryam: The Blessed Virgin & Mother of Jesus (Peace be upon him)

• Assiyah: Wife of the Pharaoh

• Umm Musa: Against all odds

• Khadijah bint Khuwalid: First of the Believers

• Aa’isha bint Abu-Bakr: A Marriage with purpose

• Hafsah bint Umar: Custodian of the Qur’an

• Family life in Islam: Marriage & Child upbringing

What will you come out at the end of the course?

• To provide students with the Islamic view on how to raise a family with good Islamic values.

• To give insight on how women in Islam are a much-valued members of the society and that Islam holds them with high regards.

• To instill confidence in Muslim students that they should be proud of great individuals from the past who should be there role models.

• To enlighten audience on how women should be treated and respected.

• Tremendous boost to your emaan.

• Knowledge of practical application of Islam.

Who is this course for?

• Every Muslim who dearly loves his/her Deen and wants to know more about its great personalities.

• For every dae’ who wishes to understand the practical application of Islam as understood by the best of the best of women.

• For every Muslim who wishes to others the knowledge of history.

• For youth seeking brave, courageous & intelligent role models.

• For the Lovers of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Speaker: Ustadh Uthman Lateef

Ustadh Uthman Lateef has a BA (Hons) in History, an MA (Dist) in Crusader Studies, an MPhil and is currently completing a PhD on The Place of Fada’il al-Quds (The Merits of Jerusalem) & Religious Poetry in the Muslim effort to recapture Jerusalem during the Crusades. He holds an Isobel Thornley Fellowship from the Institute of Historical Research. He is also partly teaching the Crusades and Eastern Mediterranean, 1095-1291 undergraduate course.

Uthman Lateef is currently the joint khateeb (sermoniser) at Stoke Poges Lane Mosque and Islamic centre, Slough. He has delivered talks in dozens of universities for many years including Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, Nottingham Trent University, Newcastle University, SOAS, Royal Holloway University, Queen Mary University, University College of London, Cardiff University, University of East London, Goldsmiths University among many others. He is a renowned speaker that is known for his academic qualifications in history.. He is the director of the Hittin institute and is also an instructor for Tayyibun Institute for the teachings of Qur’an & Sunnah and Al-Wasatiyyah Foundation for Research & Revival.

Time & Date: 9am Saturday 24th October 2009

Venue: Heuston Lecture theatre, RCSI, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2 (Click here for map)

Cost: 4 Euro per person (Food & Refreshments provided)

Contact details:

Click here to view the RCSI ISOC website for more info on this